Mighty and small they are beggars before me, their faces all frightened, beseeching, bewildered and hopeful of help from one more frightened than any...

I see their pitiful nakedness, their limbs twisted, their bodies tattered, their blood on the asphalt, their children crying. They trust me to help them. The know I will help them.

I see their illness too in your big cities. Their fevers I feel as you dream at midnight in little towns. They call to me whose hearts are aching and whose dreams are shattered and they touch me with their weariness.

Sometimes they seek me who are simply alone and who cannot bear the night, and I am their servant too.

Fallen from tractors in fields I find them, and in stilled cars they are silent and pale on cold rainy nights. The crunching of glass under black heavy boots tells my coming. I fold them in blankets.

My beacons light up your streets as their babies are born. My wail carries down your boulevards, past your shiny glass walls, your stockyards and quiet farms, and your people look up from their work as I go by. Time is metered in heartbeats.

I fight the battles to keep them alive. I cover their eyes when they breathe no more.

My partner is a hero, but no one knows his name.

So Why Do We Become Paramedics?

Why does one become a Paramedic? Individuals who become emergency medical technicians as well as paramedics have a special drive, they have a deep desire to help the sick and injured. The men and women of emergency medical services are rare breed, these brave and committed individuals do not do it for the money as the average E. M. T. and paramedic makes under $30,000.00 a year.

Yet they devote two years of their life in training to treat both the sick and the injured. Once they've graduated they join agencies whether they are public, volunteer or private. These very special people to do not work 9:00 to 5:00 jobs, instead the vast majority of emergency medical personnel work twelve to fourteen hour shifts, others work 24 hour shifts. An average work week for these individuals range from four to five days a week, the job of an emergency medical technician is a stressful one and can be stressful on their families.

Over the past decade emergency medical personnel have been faced with domestic terrorism, international terrorism, and school shootings. In Oklahoma City 168 individuals were killed after a domestic and sadistic attack at the Murrah Federal Building, countless others were injured. In 1993 the world trade center was attacked resulting in several deaths. In the nineties, emergency medical personnel witnessed the senseless murders and additionally the wounding of students on school campuses. These senseless tragedies faced by our emergency medical services personnel are facing these situations more frequently. Then on September 11, 2001, EMS Personnel faced their greatest challenge, with the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and in the failed hijacking that resulted in the crash of flight 93 in Pennsylvania.

In the past decade request for emergencymedical services have dramatically changed. As E. M. T's and Paramedic's, their job take's them into several diverse cultures, a example of this would be, a heart attack victim in a professional building, to areas that individuals refer to as skid row, they respond to car accident's on prom night with the occupants entwined in the twisted wreckage, they respond to calls in affluent neighborhoods, as well as the inner city. These professionals transport the elderly from nursing homes to hospitals and hospitals to nursing homes.

So why do we become Paramedics? Do we do it for the media coverage, no, the news media is still naïve and unaware of the prices paid by these unselfish, and caring group of highly trained and exceptionally trained professionals. Newspaper articles in news media coverage often refers to these professionals as "ambulance drivers," so why do we become paramedics? The answer is very simple, emergency medical technicians and paramedics do not do their job for glory, or hero worship, and they do not do it for the money. They do their job because of their dedication to preserving life; they are courageous and professional men and women who are the unsung heroes of emergency medical services.

Written by: David D.

The Heart of EMS

Sorry if we woke you

In the middle of the night

But someone in your neighborhood

Is fighting for his life.

Sorry if we blocked the road

And made you turn around.

But there's been a bad wreck

with injured people on the ground.

When you see us coming

I hope you'll understand

Let us have the right of way

Someone needs a helping hand.

Sometimes a child is choking.

Sometimes a broken leg.

Sometimes a heart stops beating

If we don't arrive it may be too late.

So if you see us crying

When we think we're alone

You'll know we had a bad one

And we're feeling mighty down

We don't do it for the money

You know we don't get paid.

We don't do it for the glory

But for the life that might be saved.

Somewhere deep within us

Our souls are crying out

We're here to help our neighbors

In their hour of pain and doubt.

God gave us something special

To help us see you through

We do it cause we love you

And we care about you too.

What it is like in EMS

I delivered a baby on the ambulance gurney; I baptized a newborn whose life ended before it began.

I hugged a frightened child; I was kissed by an intoxicated old man.

I held the hand of a teenage girl as she delivered a 3-pound baby; I listened to the mournful squeak of a stretcher being wheeled to the morgue.

I gently stroked the fragile hand of a 102 year old woman; I hesitated at the outreached hand of a 300 pound prisoner in handcuffs.

I trudged for 10 hours in my boots; I had a teenager vomit on those same boots.

I rubbed the feverish body of a 14 year old cancer patient; I cradled the ice-cold hand of a child hit by a car.

I was referred to as "an angel of mercy;" I was called every four-letter word in the book.

I always see fear in people's eyes; I never see joy or relief.

I listened to a tormented voice pleading for the preservation of life; I heard the threatening words of one bent on self-destruction.

I spoke with the girl who was hoping she had the flu, not a pregnancy; I see innocent people hurt or killed by a drunk driver, and the drunk driver is never hurt.

I marveled at the genius of a cardiologist; I saw a 12 year old boy who shot himself in the head, and the gun was still loaded at his feet.

I talked in circles with a schizophrenic person; I was horrified at the battered body of a child whose parents were incapable of love.

I gazed at a horribly burned body; I shuddered at a cold water drowning.

I see women beaten up by their spouses, but they never press charges; I walk into houses and do CPR with family watching over my shoulder in tears.

I arrive at serious auto accidents, and the first words I hear are, "Am I going to die?;" I find out hours later they did die.

I listen to the repeated question, "Why?" from a family devastated by death; I search my soul for the answers to their question. Just another day in EMS.

The Next Time You Hear A Siren

The next time you hear a siren in the distance, don't just say a prayer for the victims and their families. Say a prayer for the people that face these tragedies every day and do the best they can to save someone that is loved. We never see the tears of these brave men and women, but God does.

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through station all was quiet except for our snoring dalmation. Our boots had been placed by the bunk sides with care in hopes that the shift change would finally be here.

The lights were turned down and the TV was off the rigs had been washed and the floors had been mopped. Firefighters and Medics lie nestled in bed while visions of home life danced through their heads.

When out of the darkness, arose ringing and light The Claxton brought tidings of something not right. The Firefighters and Medics were dressed in an instant aboard their trucks and racing into the distance.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow reflected the lights in a hellish, red glow. The sirens, they wailed while the Federal screamed moving too slowly, as if in a dream.

The wreckage was there and came slowly in sight Lending fear, pain, and loss to our silent night. Each of us thought of our own Wife, Daughter or Son each prayed in silence, "Let me save at least one."

We leaped to the task without further a thought and for more than two hours we worked and we fought... To free the two drivers who hadn't been thinking their driving would suffer after a full night of drinking.

The smoke of the flares, and the stench of the blood the screaming of metal as we rolled back the hood. The cry of one driver, the whine of the Jaws Putting fear aside, we never gave pause.

With one driver out, and the other pronounced dead we focused our efforts on keeping our heads. C-spine and backboard and IV in place we loaded him up and we started the race.

Atropine, Dopamine, Epi and more... to keep our reason for being from opening death's door. We fought and we prayed and tried all that was known while trying to believe fault wasn't our own.

The sun, she was rising as we reached the ER we'd given all that we know, and all that we are. The Doctors pronounced with barely more than a glance. And gone in a blink, was the patient's last chance.

The ride back to the station was quiet, and then.... Despite what we'd been through, the singing began. At first it was one and then all followed suit this effort together was merely the fruit...

Of a labor that however needlessly bared was one of a million we knew we had shared. As we sang out the words of the song, "Silent Night" We acknowledged to ourselves that we put up a good fight.

The punch of the clock, the start of a car we all realized and loved who we are. And on Christmas morning, as we all drive away... We know we'll all try in a couple of days...

To give someone back their one chance to live now matter how hard or how much we must give. So please, when you pray on this new Christmas morn add something for us, and for all that we've borne.

Merry Christmas to all my brothers and sisters in EMS, Fire and Police. We're all here together,and we all come back another day.

My Dad is a Paramedic

It doesn't matter day or night When off the pager goes He grabs his bag and her vest To help people he doesn't know. I always get a hug and kiss he tells me not to worry, He tells me that he loves me lots But is always in a hurry.

There is someone else that needs him

So I will share him for awhile They may be sick or hurt or dying As the ambulance leaves the station I am as proud as I can be I wave and I blow kisses Knowing someone needs him more than me.

He holds a dying mother Whose babies are at his feet He saves a child that's choking on a piece of meat. He comforts the father Whose daughter he pulled from a car He cares and prays for her in the ambulance Knowing the hospital may be to far. My dad does this because he's well trained, My dad does this to help peopleAnd for the life that may be saved.

I meet my dad at the door When he gets back from his call I tell him that I missed him But that I love him most of all.

Some times my dad is happy because, he saved a life Some times my dad weeps because the call didn't go good and someone died.

I hug him every night And he says that he loves me and I know that when I get older..............

I to want to be an EMT!

Time to Go

Pardon me, doctor, but may I

Die?

I know your oath requires you to

try to keep me alive

So long as my body is warm and

there is a breath of life,

But listen, Doc, I've buried my

wife,

My children are grown and on

their own.

My friends are all gone, and I

want to go, too.

No mortal man should keep me

here

When the call from Him is unmis-

takably clear.

I deserve the right to slip quietly

away.

My work is done and I am tired.

Your motives are noble, but now

I pray That you can read in my eyes what my lips can't say.

Listen to my heart and you'll

hear it cry

Pardon me, Doc, but may I die?

A Paramedics Day

of Judgement

The medic stood and faced God

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his uniform was clean,

He'd gotten dressed kinda fast.

"Step forward now, paramedic.

How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have you been true?"

The medic squared his shoulders and said, "No Lord, I quess I Haven't.

Cause those of us who wade in blood

Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,

and at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.

But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked alot of overtime when the bills got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God forgive me,

I wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place

among the people here. They never wanted me around, except to calm their fears.

If you have a place for me, Lord.

It needn't be so grand.

I never expected or have had too much. And if you don't, I understand."

There was silence all around the throne, with saints all around. As the medic waited quietly for the judgment from our God the Almighty.

"Step forward now, Paramedic.

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on heavens streets.

Now is your time to rest which you have earned."

To Our Paramedics, Firefighters, & Police Officers

There are men and women everywhere

They serve us in everyway.

They place their lives in danger to save us every day.

They are our public servants,

We thank you from our hearts

For your work and dedication to help the public out.

They never think a moment of the danger they are in.

They give their lives for you and me,

They truly are our friends.

They're our EMS and firefighters, our police officers as well,

They give so much of themselves

They put their own lives on the line.

We thank you and we pray for God to keep you ever safe

May He guard you and protect you from harm in any way.

May you wake up with your family to enjoy another day.

We honor you and praise you in all cities and towns,

From New York where you died trying to save so many lives.

All across our nation we give you tribute and our praise!

For our heroes fallen; their greatest sacrifice was made.

We thank you all our heroes!

We honor all of you everyday.

Proud To Be An American

God Bless The U.S.A.

by Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone, I'd worked for all my life. And I had to start again, with just my children and my wife.

I'd thank my lucky stars, to be livin here today.

'Cause the flag still stands for freedom, and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I wont forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today. 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee. Across the plains of Texas, From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Huston, and New York to L.A. Well there's pride in every American heart, and its time we stand and say.

That I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I wont forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today. 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.

And I'm proud to be and American, where at least I know I'm free. And I wont forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today.

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,

God Bless the USA

We Respond To Your Call

When you see us coming up behind you, don't be frightened that we're there, we're going to help someone in need, because we care...

We won't push you out of the way, we only ask for your kindness, to let us get by so that we can get there faster...

Going to a wreck, or responding to someone sick, is not a pleasure for us, it's a gift in our hearts, to know someone needs our helping hands...

We drive big trucks, equipped with flashers and a siren, we are committed to saving lives, it's our job that we do...

We're here to help your friends, families and others, and to care for those in need, to help our fellow brothers...

If you ever need our help, we are here to help anytime, we hope and pray that every call will end just fine...

Call us if you need us, we're here to help and won't take long, and in our hearts and mind, you'll never be gone.

WHAT IS AN EMT?

MOST DON'T REALIZE WHAT AN EMT IS, OR WHAT THEY DO SOME SAY THEY'RE JUST AMBULANCE DRIVERS THIS PLAINLY IS NOT TRUE

THEY DO DRIVE THE AMBULANCE WITH THE LIGHTS AND THE SIREN BLOWING BUT OTHER TIMES THAT SAME DRIVER IS IN THE BACK TRYING TO KEEP A LIFE GOING

OR THAT SOME PERSON MAY BE OUT IN THE MUCK, THE BLOOD, AND POURING DOWN RAIN WORKING TO GET A DRIVER OUT OF THE CAR WHO IS IN SEVERE PAIN

BUT THE CALL THAT HURTS THE WORST FOR ALL EMT'S INVOLVED IS THE CALL WITH THE CHILD WHOSE PROBLEM CANNOT BE SOLVED

EVEN WITH ALL THE TRAINING ONE CAN POSSIBLY HAVE TAKEN SOMETIMES THAT TRAINING DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

IT IS THEN THAT YOU WILL SEE THAT STRONG EMT

WITH TEARS RUNNING DOWN THEIR FACES AND A LOOK OF HUMILITY

THE THOUGHTS OF THIS CALL WILL NEVER GO AWAY BUT THE EMT REALIZES THERE WILL BE ANOTHER DAY

A DAY IN THEIR LIFE THAT THEY LISTEN FOR THE CALL AND WHEN THEY ARRIVE ON THE SCENE THEY REALIZE AFTER ALL

THAT SOME DAYS ARE GOOD AND SOME DAYS ARE BAD BUT ONE THING FOR CERTAIN, WITHOUT THE EMT'S LIFE WOULD CERTAINLY BE SAD

I'm already going to lose you.

I don't even know your name.

In a world of flashing lights

The sounds of glass and steel breaking free,

For those few minutes, you belonged only to me.

It was I who cut your shirt away

To see your broken ribs

Watching you labour with each breath

As you fought to live.

It was I who wiped the blood away

When it pooled in your eyes,

It was I who watched your heart beat

As the Jaws freed you from your car.

When we finally freed you,

I was still there as we ran

To the back of the ambulance,

It was I who held your hand.

The sounds of the sirens

Rang loudly in my ears

I looked for some small sign,

Your lack of response renewed my fears.

I breathed for you when you could not,

I compressed your chest when your heart wouldn't beat.

I prayed for you with each failure,

I did not want to see defeat.

I finally had to walk away

Knowing the battle had been lost

I saw your father in the hallway,

One look, and I saw the awful cost.

I gathered my equipment together,

And I finally learned your name.

Only 21, I said beneath my breath,

My friends, I feel so drained.

Your blood alcohol came back zero,

The driver of the other car did not.

He was alive and breathing,

No witness to the battle we fought.

I don't know how to say good-bye

We never really said hello,

But a piece of you is with me

Everywhere I go.

Sometimes We Try, Sometimes They Die

Sometimes They Die

What's it all for?

On such a bright and sunny day,A child walks home without a care in the world a semi truck is making a final run of the day.

A child starts to cross the road to meet a friend on the other side. The driver of the truck swerves to miss the child; this day it happened to late.

Without a cry, without a chance to make a difference in the world; a small child lies in the road. A small life is ending much too soon;

what is all for.....

An Ambulance is called to help; the Medics arrive to find life quickly fading from the small child.

Thier years of training and experience; yet there's nothing they can do;

What it all for......

Only God know why it had to happen......

The Medic'a stops and ponder as they wonder;

What's it all for......

TO REMEMBER ME.....

The day will come when my body will lie upon a white sheet neatly tucked under four corners of a hospital mattress located in a hospital busily occupied with the living and dying. At a certain moment a doctor will determine that my brain has ceased to function and that, for all practical purposes, my life has ended. When that happens, do not attempt to instill artificial life into my body by the use of a machine. And don't call this my deathbed. Let it be called the "Bed of Life," and let my body be taken from it to help others lead fuller lives. Give my sight to the man who has never seen the sun rise, a baby's face or love in the eyes of a woman. Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain. Give my blood to a teenager who has been pulled from the wreckage of his or her car, so that he or she might live to see his or her grandchildren play. Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist week to week. Take my bones, every nerve and muscle in my body and find a way to make a crippled child walk. Explore every corner of my brain. Take my cells, if necessary and let them grow so that, someday a speechless boy will shout at the crack of a bat and a deaf girl will hear the sound of rain against her window. And when you bury me, let it be my faults, my weakness and all prejudices against my fellow man. Give my sins to the devil; Give my soul to GOD. Remember me, with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do as I ask I will live FOREVER......

The Final Act

Screeching tires, shattering glass, twisting metal, fiberglass. The scene is set it all goes black, The curtain raised the final act. Sirens raging in the night, sounds of horror, gasps of fright. Intense pain, the smell of blood tearing eyes begin to flood.

They pull out our bodies one by one, What is going on, we were only having fun! One of my friends is missing, what did I do? Her scattered belongings everywhere, in the road there lies her shoe.

A man is leaning over me and looking in my eyes, "What were you thinking, son"? "Did you really think that you could drive?"

He pulled up the sheet still looking in my eyes, "If you'd only called your Mom or Dad, you'd still be alive!"

I started to scream, I started to yell; But no one could hear me, no one could tell. They put me in an ambulance; they took me away.

The doctor at the hospital exclaimed, "DOA!" My father's in shock, my mother in tears, she collapses in grief, overcome by the fear. They take me to this house and place me in this box.

I keep asking what is happening, But I cant make it stop. Everyone is crying, my family is so sad. I wish someone would answer me, I'm starting to get mad. My mother leans over me and kisses me good-bye, My father pulling her away, she is screaming, "WHY"?

They lower my body into a dirt grave, It feels so very cold, I yell to be saved. Then I see an angel; I begin to cry. Can you tell me what is happening? she replies "YOU DIED."

I can't be dead; I'm still so young! I want to do so many things - like sing, and dance, and run.

What about college or graduation day? what about a wedding? Please - I want to stay. The angel looked upon me, and with a saddened voice, "It didn't have to end like this; you knew you had a choice." "I'm sorry it's too late now; time I can't turn back."

"Your life is finished; that, my son, is a fact!" Why did this happen? I didn't want to die! The angel, she embraced me and with her words she sighed, "Son, this is the consequence you paid to drink and drive.

I wish you made a better choice, If you did you would be alive. It doesn't matter if you beg me, or plead on bended knee, There is nothing I can do, you have to come with me."

Looking down at my family, I said my last good-bye. "I'm sorry I disappointed you, Dad. Mommy, please don't cry, I didn't mean to hurt you, or cause you any pain.

I'm sorry all you're left with is a grave that bears my name. I'm sorry all your dreams for me have all been ripped away; the plans for my future all gathered in a grave. It was such a stupid thing I did, I wish I could take it back; But the curtain is being lowered.

SO ENDS THE FINAL ACT...

Prom night I went to a party, Mom,

I remembered what you said.

You told me not to drink, Mom,

So I drank soda instead.

I really felt proud inside, Mom,

The way you said I would.

I didn't drink and drive, Mom

Even though the others said I should.

I know I did the right thing, Mom,

I know you are always right.

Now the party is finally ending, Mom,

As everyone is driving out of sight.

As I got into my car, Mom,

I knew I'd get home in one piece

Because of the way you raised me,

So reasonable and sweet.

I started to drive away, Mom,

But as I pulled out into the road,

The other car didn't see, Mom,

And hit me like a load.

As I lay there on the pavement, Mom,

I hear the policeman say,

The other guy is drunk, Mom,

And now I'm the one who will pay.

I'm lying here dying, Mom,

I wish you'd get here soon.

How could this happen to me, Mom?

My life just burst like a balloon.

There is blood all around me, Mom,

And most of it is mine.

I hear the medic say, Mom,

I'll die in a short time.

I just wanted to tell you, Mom,

I swear I didn't drink.

It was the others, Mom,

The others didn't think.

He was probably at the same party as I.

The only difference is, he drank and I will die.

Why do people drink, Mom?

It can ruin your whole life.

I'm feeling sharp pains now.

Pains just like a knife.

The guy who hit me is walking, Mom,

And I don't think it's fair.

I'm lying here dying and all he can do is stare.

Tell my brother not to cry, Mom,

Tell Daddy to be brave.

And when I go to Heaven, Mom,

Put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.

Someone should have told him, Mom,

Not to drink and drive.

If only they had told him, Mom,

I would still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom,

I'm becoming very scared.

Please don't cry for me, Mom,

When I needed you, you were always there.

I have one last question, Mom,

Before I say good bye

I didn't drink and drive,

So why am I the one to die?

Our Public Servants

There are men and women everywhere; They serve us every way!

They put their lives in danger,

To save us everyday!

They are, our public servants,

We thank you very much, They never think a moment, of the danger they are in.

They give their life for you and me; they truly are, our friends.

They're our police and fire fighters; Our EMS as well, they give so much To all of us, They work hard every day!

We could not live without you;

We thank you and we pray; That God will keep you safe; Out of harm's way!

To wake up with your families;

To see another day!

We honor you and praise you;

In cities and in towns, from New York where you died; to save so many lives!

All across our Nation; In tribute and in praise!

We thank you for your service;

We honor you today!

For all the brave ones fallen; that died and went away; you will always be remembered.

And honored every day!

We thank you for your service;

We honor you today!

As I Perform My Duty Lord

Whatever be the call, Help to guide and keep me safe From dangers big and small.

I want to serve my best No matter what the scene, I pledge to keep my skills refined, My judgment quick and keen.

This calling to give myself Most do not understand, But I stand ready all the time, To help my fellow man.

To have the chance to help a child Restore his laugh with glee, A word of thanks I might not hear, But knowing is enough for me.

The praise of men is fine for some, But I feel truly blessed, That you, oh Lord have chosen me

To Serve in EMS!

A MEDICS PRAYER

PLEASE APPRECIATE AND SUPPORT

YOUR LOCAL EMS MEN & WOMEN, YOUR FIREFIGHTERS, DISPATCHERS,

POLICE OFFICERS IN YOUR AREA.

ONE DAY THEY MAY PROBABLY BE SAVING YOUR PROPERTY OR YOUR OWN LIFE.

WHEN YOU SEE THEM COMING WITH LIGHTS FLASHING, MOVE OUT OF THE WAY QUICKLY.

THEN PLEASE PRAY TO GOD, THAT THIS WON'T BE THEIR LAST CALL

Strength Of The Provider

The baby doesn't cry, The mother wants to die and you, you don't want to pry into the loves of those who care, It all seems like a big nightmare. Trauma center, burn center, ER too, Everyone does all that they can do. Death, a part of life, hard, we must except it. Life is a gamble, life is a bet. Providers, you have not failed only if you have bailed- bailed out on the lives you care for, don't try less, care more. Be strong, be tough, look deep within, don't commit that deep, dark sin. Think of your self as a life saver, don't let that thought waiver. You are you and I am me, but we all grow on the same tree. Be all that you can be, You are life, you are the key.

By the time the Lord made woman, he was into His sixth day of working overtime. An angel appeared and said, "Why are you spending so much time on this one?"

And the Lord answered, "Have you seen My spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over 200 movable parts, all

replaceable and able to run on diet coke and leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart -- and she will do everything with only two hands."

The angel was astounded at the requirements. "Only two hands? No way! And that's just on the standard model? That's too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish. "But I won't," the Lord protested. "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can work 18 hour days." The angel moved closer and touched the woman. "But you have made her so soft, Lord."

She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish." will she be able to think?” asked the angel. The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate."

The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak," the Lord corrected, "that's a tear!" "What's the tear for?" the angel asked. The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love, her loneliness, her grief and her pride."

The angel was! impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything! Woman is truly amazing." And she is! Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in. hey stand up to injustice. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love Unconditionally, They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can help to heal a broken heart.

Women come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning! They bring joy and hope. They have compassion and ideals. They give moral support to their family and friends. Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

Pass this along to your women friends to remind them how amazing they are; however if there's one flaw in women, it is that they tend to forget their worth.

APPRECIATE AND SUPPORT THE LOCAL EMS WORKERS, FIREFIGHTERS, DISPATCHERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN YOUR AREA. ONE DAY THEY'LL PROBABLY BE SAVING YOUR PROPERTY OR YOUR OWN LIFE. WHEN YOU SEE THEM COMING WITH LIGHTS FLASHING, MOVE OUT OF THE WAY QUICKLY.

THEN PRAY TO JESUS FOR US THAT THIS WON'T BE OUR LAST CALL

THE EMS WORKER

I wish you could comprehend a wife's horror at 3 in the morning as I check her husband of 40 years for a pulse and find none. I start CPR anyway, Hoping to bring him back, knowing intuitively it is too late. But wanting his wife and family to know everything possible was done to save his life.

I wish you could read my mind as I respond to a to an EMS call, "What is wrong with the patient? Is it minor or life-threatening? Is the caller really in distress or is he waiting for us with a gun?"

I wish you could be in the emergency room as a doctor pronounces dead the beautiful five-year old girl that I have been trying to save during the past 25 minutes. Who will never go on her first date or say the words, "I love

you Mommy" again.

I wish you could know the frustration I feel in my cruisers or the cab of the rescue vehicle, with my foot pressing down hard on the pedal, my siren and air horn blasting again and again, as you fail to yield the right-of-way at an intersection or in traffic. BUT when you need us however, your first

comment upon our arrival will be, "It took you forever to get here!" or "What took you so long ?"

I wish you could know my thoughts as I help extricate a girl of teenage years from the remains of her automobile. What if this was my sister or my friend? What are their parents reaction going to be when they open the door to find a police officer with hat in hand?"

I wish you could know how it feels to walk in the back door and greet my parents and family, not having the heart to tell them that I nearly did not come back from the last call.

I wish you could know how it feels dispatching police officers, fireman and EMT's out and when we call for them and our heart drops because no one answers back... ...or to here a bone chilling 911 call of a child or wife

needing assistance.

I wish you could feel the hurt as people verbally, and sometimes physically, abuse us or belittle what we do, or as they express their attitudes of "It will never happen to me."

I wish you could realize the physical, emotional and mental drain or missed meals, lost sleep and forgone social activities, in addition to all the tragedy my eyes have seen.

I wish you could know the brotherhood and self-satisfaction of helping save a life, or being able to be there in time of crisis, or creating order from total chaos.

I wish you could understand what it feels like to have a little boy tugging at your arm and asking, "Is Mommy okay?" Not even being able to look in his eyes without tears from your own and not knowing what to say.

Or to have to hold back a long time friend who watches his buddy having rescue breathing done on him as they take him away in the ambulance. You know all along he did not have his seat belt on. A sensation that I have become too familiar with.

Unless you have lived with this kind of life, you will never truly understand or appreciate who I am, who we are, or what our job really means to us...I wish you could though.

When God made Paramedics....

When the Lord made Paramedics, he was into his sixthday of overtime when an angel appeared and said,"You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." And the Lord said, "Have you read the specs on this order? A paramedic has to be able to carry an injured person up a wet, grassy hill in the dark, dodge stray bullets to reach a dying child unarmed, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle his uniform." "He has to be able to lift 3 times his own weight, crawl into wrecked cars with barely enough room to move, and console a grieving mother as he is doing CPR on a baby he knows will never breath again." "He has to be in top mental condition at all times, running on no sleep, black coffee and half-eaten meals. And he has to have six pairs of hands." The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands...no way."

"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord,"It's the three pairs of eyes a medic has to have." "That's on the standard model?" asked the angel. The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees open sores as he's drawing blood and asks the patient they may be HIV positive, " (When he already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job.)"Another pair here in the side of his head for his partners' safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, "You'll be all right ma'am when he knows it isn't so." "Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow." "I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk out from behind a steering wheel without incident and feed a family of five on a private service paycheck." The angel circled the model of the paramedic very slowly, "Can it think?" she asked.

"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the symptoms of 100 illnesses; recite drug calculations in its sleep; intubate, defibrillate, medicate, and continue CPR nonstop over terrain that any doctor would fear...and still it keeps its sense of humor.

This medic also has phenomenal personal control. He can deal with a multi-victim trauma, coax a frightened elderly person to unlock their door, comfort a murder victim's family, and then read in the daily paper how paramedics were unable to locate a house quickly enough, allowing the person to die. A house which had no street sign, no house numbers, no phone to call back." Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Paramedic. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model." "That's not a leak," said the Lord, "It's a tear." "What's the tear for?" asked the angel.

"It's for bottled-up emotions, for patients they've tried in vain to save, for commitment to that hope that they will make a difference in a person's chance to survive, for life." "You're a genius," said the angel. The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," He said.

PROM NIGHT

I delivered a baby on the ambulance stretcher.

I baptized a newborn whose life ended before it began.

I hugged a frightened child.

I was kissed by an intoxicated old man.

I held the hand of a teenage girl while she delivered a 3 pound baby.

I listened to the mournful squeak of a stretcher being wheeled to the morgue.

I gently stroked the fragile hand of a 102 year old woman.

I hesitated at the outreached hand of a 300 pound prisoner in handcuffs.

I trudged for ten hours in my boots.

I had a teenager vomit on those same boots.

I rubbed the feverish body of a 14-year-old cancer patient.

I cradled the ice-cold hand of a child hit by a car.

I was referred to as "an angel of mercy".

I was called every four-letter word in the book.

I always see fear in people's eyes.

I never see joy or relief.

I listened to a tormented voice pleading for the preservation of life.

I heard the threatening words of one bent on self destruction.

I spoke with a girl who was hoping she had the flu, not a pregnancy.

I see innocent people hurt by a drunk driver, and the drunk driver is never hurt.

I marveled at the genius of a cardiologist.

I saw a 12-year-old boy who shot himself in the head, and the gun was still loaded at his feet.

I talked in circles with a schizophrenic person.

I was horrified at the battered body of a child whose parents were incapable of love.

I gazed at a horribly burned body.

I shuddered at a cold water drowning.

I see women beaten up by their spouses, but they never press charges.

I walk into houses and do CPR with family watching over my shoulder in tears.

I arrive at serious auto accidents, and the first words I hear are, "Am I going to die?"

I find out hours later they did die.

I listen to the repeated question "Why?” from a family devastated by death.

I search my soul for the answers to their question.

This is just another day in EMS.

Just another Day in EMS

By: Derek Perry

In The Line of Duty

The sirens grow silent

The lights lose their glow

Our BROTHER has fallen

Our hearts cry in woe

His life He gave

Each day He lived

With Love and compassion

To family and friends

From the roar of the dragon

As He danced with the blaze

To the birth of a newborn

Who cast its first gaze

He gave us life

He gave us a smile

He always had time

To sit and chat awhile

Now GOD has called Him

He's going home

His memories are with us

We're never alone

He watches from Heaven

He wastes no time

Preparing us places

For when we stand at His side

He walks with us always

He's in our Heart

Our memory keeps Him living

So we're never apart

So the sirens grow silent

The lights lose their glow

But our BROTHER is standing

On streets made of GOLD

By: Andy Roach

TRIBUTE

Lord, grant me the wisdom so that I may treat those

of your children that lay at my feet. Let my hands be gentle, sure and swift to impart to them your sacred gift. Let me see only a patient's need not their color, race or creed. Help me always to be my best, even when it's on my hours rest. Grant me the insight to understand why, patients of mine is going to die. Let me remember that when they do, there is a wonderful life in Heaven with You. Lord, if in the time of duty I should fall, help my family to hold their heads tall. For it was you who decided that I should be, on of your chosen few, an EMT.

A MEDICS PRAYER

2013 "TODAY'S EMS TRANSPORT VEHICLES"

TO OUR FELLOW CITIZENS FROM YOUR LOCAL MEDICS

We’re sorry if we wake you in the middle of the night, but someone in your neighborhood is fighting for their life. Sometimes someone is choking, sometimes a child in need, sometimes a heart stops beating, sometimes we watch you grieve.

So if you catch our sadness when we thought we were alone you’ll know we’ve had a “bad one” and our emotions we postpone. You ask us how we do it, “I couldn’t do that stuff”. We’ll keep on answering your call, even when the going gets tough.

Somewhere deep within us, our souls are crying out “we’re here to help our neighbor, that’s what we are about.” God gave us something special to help us see you through. We are there because we fight to save a life, and it is our extensive training that sees you through, this is who we are and what we do.

You have all answered the final alarm; you held your heads up high.

You did your duty to the oath, but this time ... you had to die

You all knew this day might come, while you struggled to save a life

In that final moment filled with pain, you left this world of strife.

You rushed right in, while others ran, you answered your last call

You knew someone was in danger there, you sacrificed it all.

Without a thought of your own fate, you risked your lives and lost

I know you'd do it all again, it was your duties...damn the cost.

God's blessings on your families, too, for they must share your fate

Grant them peace and mercy, Lord, don't let their love turn into hate.

You were professional EMT’s, Paramedics, Police Officers, and Firefighters,

You were paid to risk your lives

You hope somehow they'll understand,

Your sons…your moms...your wives.

There is no greater sacrifice, than to give your life for a friend

But, you gave your lives for ... strangers ... God welcome you to Him.

God has called you home, my brothers; He left us here behind

But you'll always be here with us ... in our hearts and in our minds.

I WANT TO TELL YOU LIES

I want to tell that little boy his Mom will be just fine.

I want to tell that dad we got his daughter out in time.

I want to tell that wife her husband will be home tonight.

I don't want to tell it like it is.....

I want to tell them lies.

You didn't put their seat belts on, you feel you killed your kids.

I want to say you didn't ... but in a way, you did.

You pound your fists into my chest, you're hurting so inside.

I want to say you'll be ok......

I want to tell you lies.

You left chemicals within his reach and now it's in his eyes.

I want to say your son will see, not tell you he'll be blind.

You ask me if he'll be OK, with pleading in your eyes.

I want to say that yes he will.....

I want to tell you lies.

I can see you're crying as your life goes up in smoke.

If you'd maintained that smoke alarm, your children may have woke.

Don't grab my arm and ask me if your family is alive.

Don't make me tell you they're all dead........

I want to tell you lies.

I want to say she'll be ok, you didn't take her life.

I hear you say you love her and you'd never hurt your wife.

You thought you didn't drink too much, you thought that you could drive.

I don't want to say how wrong you were......

I want to tell you lies.

You only left her for a moment, it happens all the time.

How could she have fell from there? You thought she couldn't climb.

I want to say her neck's not broke, that she will be just fine.

I don't want to say she's paralyzed........

I want to tell you lies.

I want to tell this teen his buddies didn't die in vain.

Because he thought that it'd be cool to try to beat that train.

I don't want to tell him this will haunt him all his life.

I want to say that he'll forget........

I want to tell him lies.

You left the cabinet open and your daughter found the gun.

Now you want me to undo the damage that's been done.

You tell me she's your only child, you say she's only five.

I don't want to say she won't see six..........

I want to tell you lies.

He fell into the pool when you just went to grab the phone.

It was only for a second that you left him there alone.

If you let the damn phone ring perhaps your boy would be alive. But I don't want to tell you that.........

I want to tell you lies.

The fact that you were speeding caused that car to overturn.

And we couldn't get them out of there before the whole thing burned. Did they suffer? Yes, they suffered, as they slowly burned alive. But I don't want to say those words........

I want to tell you lies.

But I have to tell it like it is, until my shift is through.

And then the real lies begin, when I come home to you.

You ask me how my day was, and I say it was just fine.

I hope you understand, sometimes............

I have to tell you lies.

Dedicated to all the Police Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics,Emergency Flight Crews and all Civil Servants who deal with the tragedies of life and death. The saddest of all, being those that could have been prevented.

* Wear your seat belts.

* Keep poisons, flammables, fireworks, etc. out of reach of children.

* Keep your smoke alarm in operating order, if you don't have one, get

Am I preaching? Am I nagging? I guess I am just telling it like it is.......Or I could just tell you a lie.

And the next time you hear a siren in the distance, don't just say a prayer for the victims and their families. Say a prayer for the people that face these tragedies every day and do the best they can to save someone that is loved.

We never see the tears of these brave men and women who we call Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics, but God does.

This Page was Last Updated: August 4, 2016

SCHOOL VIOLENCE

"MOM"

-Johnny brought a gun to school, He told his friends that it was cool, and when he pulled he trigger back, it shot with a great crack.

-Mom, I was a good girl, I did what I was told, I went to school, I got straight A's and B's, I even got the gold!

-But Mom, when I went to school that day, I never said good-bye, I'm sorry Mom, I had to go, But Mom, please don't cry.

-When Johnny shot the gun, He hit me and another, And all because Johnny, Got the gun from his older brother.

-Mom, please tell Dad; That I love him very much, and please tell Zack; my boyfriend; that it wasn't just a crush.

-And tell my little sister; that she is the only now, and tell my dear sweet Grandmother;

I'll be waiting for her now, and tell my wonderful friends; that they always were the best,

-Mom, I'm not the first, I'm no better then the rest.

-Mom, tell my teachers; I won't show up for class, And never to forget this, and please don't let this pass.

-Mom, why'd it have to be me? No one deserves this, Mommy, warn the others,

Mom, I left without a first kiss.

-Mom, please tell the EMT’s and Paramedics; I know they really did try, I think I even saw the medics, trying not to cry.

-Mom, I ran as fast as I could, When I heard that crack, Mom, listen to me if you would, I'm not coming back. I wanted to go to college; I wanted to try things that were new,

-I guess I'm not going with Dad; on that trip to the new zoo. I wanted to get married, I wanted to have a kid, I wanted to be a singer, Mom, I wanted to live.

-But Mom, I must go now, the time is getting late, Mom tell my boyfriend, I'm sorry; I had to cancel our date. I love you Mom, I always have, I know; you know it's true, and Mom all I wanted to say is, "Mom and Dad, I love you"

When I was an EMT

I tried to not let what I saw bother me.

But the human mind can only take so much.

For eventually I was bound to be touched.

I remember it like it was yesterday, it was a call that forever changed me in every way.

It involved the death of a little girl, whose life was ended and it changed my world.

It's not that I blame myself, it's just that I feel that I could have done something else.

But at least she lived long enough for her parents to see her even though it was tough.

But at least they got to say good-bye,

I never got a chance to say hi.

I can only imagine their pain,

but I still feel sad all the same.

I just wish that everyone knew,

how hard these calls are on us too.

We are not God and we often cry too,

it's just that we don't cry in front of you.

We don't want to appear so weak, but we have hearts that break too, when things look all to bleak.

So when you see one of us and we are looking sad, Just walk up to us and extend your hand.

Say that you appreciate what we do,

and that is all that I ask of you.

For you don't know how much those words would mean, Especially if we have just finished with a horrible scene.

We don't do this job for the money or praise,

We do it to save lives with the help of God's grace.

And not all lives can be saved, but because we are sad doesn't mean we aren't brave.

So you see it takes a person that really cares about you, to be able to see and do the things that we do.

We do it because we want to help others,

when things are in chaos for you, your sisters or brothers.

We don't want to appear so weak, but we have hearts that break too, when things look all to bleak. ---------->

"CONTINUED"

So when you see one of us and we are looking sad, Just walk up to us and extend your hand.

Say that you appreciate what we do,

and that is all that I ask of you.

For you don't know how much those words would mean, Especially if we have just finished with a horrible scene.

We don't do this job for the money or praise,

We do it to save lives with the help of God's grace.

And not all lives can be saved, but because we are sad doesn't mean we aren't brave.

So you see it takes a person that really cares about you, to be able to see and do the things that we do.

We do it because we want to help others,

when things are in chaos for you, your sisters or brothers.

I Tried

Any Man Or Woman Who Puts One self In Harms Way For The Sake Of Their Fellow Man Has Come To The Silent Realization That He Or She May Not Return If tears could build a stairway, and memories were a lane,

I would walk right up to heaven to bring you home again.

No farewell words were spoken no time to say goodbye you were gone before I knew it, and only God knows why.

My heart still aches in sadness and secret tears still flow, what it meant to lose you, no one will ever know.

their faces all frightened, beseeching, bewildered and hopeful of help from one more frightened than any...

I see their pitiful nakedness, their limbs twisted, their bodies tattered, their blood on the asphalt, their children crying. They trust me to help them. The know I will help them.

I see their illness too in your big cities. Their fevers I feel as you dream at midnight in little towns. They call to me whose hearts are aching and whose dreams are shattered and they touch me with their weariness.

Sometimes they seek me who are simply alone and who cannot bear the night, and I am their servant too.

Fallen from tractors in fields I find them, and in stilled cars they are silent and pale on cold rainy nights. The crunching of glass under black heavy boots tells my coming. I fold them in blankets.

My beacons light up your streets as their babies are born. My wail carries down your boulevards, past your shiny glass walls, your stockyards and quiet farms, and your people look up from their work as I go by. Time is metered in heartbeats.

I fight the battles to keep them alive. I cover their eyes when they breathe no more.

Remember, O most compassionate Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your assistance, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother; to you I come; before you I kneel sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your clemency hear and answer them. Amen

Memorare

Whether you are a Dispatcher, EMT, Firefighter, Fire-First Responder, Law Enforcement, Flight Nurse, Flight Medic, Paramedic, or you are Volunteer's or Full Time, each of